Cycling Holidays - Provence Highlights

Provence Highlights

France

From £779 P/P

Discover the highlights of Provence on this self-guided cycling tour. Ride through the famous wine town of Chateauneuf du Pape and enjoy a tipple in the wine tasting area of the Cote du Rhone.

Visit the lovely town of Avignon with its picturesque old town and papal palace and enjoy the scent of herbs as you ride through the Provencal countryside. Suitable for beginners and first time cycle-tourists, this is a popular trip for all the family.

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Itinerary
Itinerary

Day 1: Individual arrival in Orange

Enjoy the city with the wonderful architectural monuments from Roman times. The great theatre and the triumph arch are historical witnesses from this epoch.

The old town attracts with Provençal charm as well as small pretty shops and cafés.

Day 2: Orange – Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Avignon approx. 50 km

The first stage takes you into the world-famous wine town Châteauneuf-du-Pape. A stroll through the town should not be missed. You ride on to the city of Avignon along the Rhône cycle paths, without the bother of car traffic.

We recommend a stroll through the old town (guided options include a guided tour of the city) with a visit to the papal palace.

Day 3: Avignon / surroundings – St. Rémy – Arles approx. 55 km

Without much ado and once again with hardly any traffic you leave the town and cycle directly to St. Rémy, probably the most beautiful and certainly the most typical town in the Provence.

Nothing surpasses the hustle and bustle, the blaze of colour and the richness of herb scents under the shadow-offering plane trees in the ancient alleys of the old town.

The effort of the ascent to the Alpilles is rewarded with great views of the Les Baux. Because of the harmonic location of the vil-lage and because of the fortress ruins, Les Baux is also known as the “city in rock”. Chosen small paths and tiny streets take you to Arles.

Roman culture and Romanesque heritage characterise the cityscape and the history of Arles. Arles was the second-biggest city of the Roman Empire; it is also the city of Vincent van Gogh. Your hotel accommodates you for the next two nights.

Day 4: Arles – Camargue – Arles approx. 45 km

Half sea, half land – the Camargue is an unique natural landscape with Bračkish water lakes, vast salt steppes, wild horses and the famous pink flamingos.

Small paths take you into the unique nature reserve. In Mejanes with the Arena you have the opportunity of travelling with a small train through unspoilt nature and to admire, with some luck, flamingos and wild bulls.

The route takes you on almost traffic-free paths back to Arles (guided options include a guided tour of the city).

Day 5: Arles – Nîmes approx. 50 km

In the morning you cycle to the cities Tarascon and Beaucaire. Both cities are placed beside the Rhône River. There are a lot of nice places and castle of the 12th century. Visit a café in Beaucaire and enjoy a pause beside the riverbank.

The charm of the city Beaucaire invites you to stay and relax. In Nîmes numerous well-preserved buildings are evidence of the Romans. Visit the arena, the Maison Carrée or the Tour Magne. Or enjoy the modern part of the city the “Carré d´art” of Norman Foster.

Day 6: Nîmes – Pont-du-Gard – Uzès approx. 50 km

The fortress of Tarascon, located high above the Rhône, accompanies you for a while through the vineyards of Costières-de-Nimes.

About noon you will already see Pont-du-Gard, the famous aqueduct from Roman times, world heritage as well.

Aromatic plants such as lavender, thyme and rosemary accompany you into the pretty Provençal town of Uzès, which attracts with its magical, medieval charm.

Among other places of interest, the unique market square, surrounded by arcades, is worthwhile.

Day 7: Uzès – Orange approx. 55 km

Today the landscape changes once again. The last stage takes you through the hilly landscape of the Garrigue, with its oaks and Mediterranean herbs.

Later on, the vineyards and the lovely orchards of the Provence take over once again.

On the other side of the river you cycle through other famous wine regions of the Côte du Rhône (Lirac, Laudan) and reach the city of Orange again in the afternoon.

Day 8: Departure

Depart after breakfast.
Route Overview

Route Overview

Apart from a few small ascents in the hilly landscapes of the Garrigue and the Alpilles, the route is easy and varied, suitable even for inexperienced cyclists. You mostly bike on small streets with less traffic and on asphalted paths.

Route Map (For guidance only):

Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.

Total distance cycled: 305 km

Starting point of the cycling holiday : Orange
Getting There

Getting There

We recommend flying to Marseille or Montpellier airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.

Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.

We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.

Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0800 755 5385 for more specific travel advice.

You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.

Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
What’s Included?
What’s Included?

The Provence Highlights cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.

Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
- Accommodation as already mentioned
- Breakfast buffet or extensive breakfast
- Bike hire and Welcome briefing
- Luggage transfer between the hotels
- Detailed travel documents (route maps, route description, local attractions, important telephone numbers)
- GPS-data is available
- Rental bike insurance
  
  Not Included
- Flights to/from the start and finish
- Evening meals (unless stated)
- Local daily taxes (Payable at the hotel)
- Helmets
- Water Bottles
- Travel Insurance
- Bike Insurance (unless stated)
- Welcome Meetings (unless stated)
- Transfers (unless included)
Bike Hire

Bike Hire

About the Rental Bikes

This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes based on KTM frame technology, Selle Royal saddles, Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres to ensure that you have an enjoyable cycle tour. The bikes feature modern V-brakes, aluminium frames with mudguards, comfortable saddles and a rack for a supplied waterproof pannier.

You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation when riding your daily itinerary. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.

Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)

Men's Bike (Colour may vary)

Electric Bike (Colour may vary)

Rental Bike PLUS

For 2020, there is an additional bike rental option available for a supplement. The PLUS hybrid bike now available on most cycling holidays is sportier with higher quality brakes (Magura HS 11) and better specification gears (Shimano Deore XT). The riding position is designed to have a slightly sportier sitting posture and a high quality Suntour suspension fork gives smooth riding on most surfaces. All accessories are compatible with the new PLUS bike rental option.

Accessories

If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided and please make sure that you bring along with you any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.

All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals, but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.

You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.

Gears

7 speed bikes are equipped with a Shimano Nexus gear hub and 21 speed bikes have a Shimano Alivio derailleur. We request 21 speed bikes for all cycling holidays (when available).

Frame Sizing

When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use.

We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!

Bike Hire Insurance

This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.

Electric Bike Hire

Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.

E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on +44 (0) 800 7555385.

Hotels

This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on +44 (0) 800 7555385 for more information.

The hotel list below is subject to change and should be used as a guide. We will confirm the exact hotels prior to arrival.
Provence Highlights	Sample Hotel List (Cat B)
Orange	Herbier d'Orange
Avignon	Hotel Au Saint Roch
Arles	Hotel Porte de Camargue
Arles	Hotel Porte de Camargue
Nimes	Des Tuilieries
Uzes	Hotel Saint Genies

You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.

Date & Prices

You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0800 755 5385 to speak to one of the team.

2020 Cycling Holiday Prices:

Season	Date Band	Arrival Day
Season 1:	21.03. to 08.06.2020 \| 29.09 - 19.10.2020	Saturdays and Mondays
Season 2:	09.06. to 29.09.2020 \| 02.08. - 28.09.2020	Saturdays and Mondays
Season 3:	30.06. to 01.08.2020	Saturdays and Mondays

Category Deluxe Information:

Season	Prices per person including bike hire
Season 1:	£1139
Season 2:	£1199
Season 3:	£1219
Half Board Upgrade:	£99
Single Supplement:	£99
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£99

Category A Information:

Season	Prices per person including bike hire
Season 1:	£919
Season 2:	£949
Season 3:	£979
Half Board Upgrade:	£199
Single Supplement:	£199
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£99

Category B Information:

Season	Prices per person including bike hire
Season 1:	£799
Season 2:	£829
Season 3:	£849
Half Board Upgrade:	£189
Single Supplement:	£189
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£99

Hotel Category Descriptions:

Category Type	Accommodation Overview
Category A:	2/3*hotels
Category B:	2* hotels
Category Deluxe:	3/4* hotels

EXTRA NIGHT PER PERSON PER NIGHT PRICES (YOU WILL STAY IN THE SAME HOTEL AS PER THE CYCLE TOUR):

Location	Price DBL/BB	Single Room Price SGL/BB
Orange (Cat A):	£69	£109
Orange (Cat B):	£49	£89

Date From	Date To
21 March 2020	19 October 2020

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